July 24, 2012

Nelson: Kaman was a top free agent

ARLINGTON -– With where they were after losing out on Deron William, the Dallas Mavericks view the pickup of center Chris Kaman as a big-time bonus.

Kaman signed a one-year, $8 million free agent contract with the Mavs earlier this month. While the signing wasn’t as earth-shattering as what Williams would have meant, the Mavs are extremely delighted to have Kaman under lock and key.

“Chris is a guy that if you had the free agent board in front of you, he was one of the top guys this summer,’’ general manager Donnie Nelson told Arlington-based fishbowlradionetwork.com on Monday. “He can probably be the best low post, throw the ball in and let him do his thing center that we’ve had in a long, long time.

“We’ve had some defensive centers and shot-blockers. But Chris is the kind of guy that you can establish the low post with, which will make Dirk (Nowitzki’s) life a little bit easier.’’

Nelson believes Nowitzki will benefit handsomely from Kaman’s presence, because he is a solid scorer.

“Our focus really is to make it quite easy on Dirk,’’ Nelson said. “He’s been a great player for a long period of time, but we’ve got to take pressure off him.

“We’ve got to give him some support where he doesn’t have to score an incredible fadeaway every other time down the floor.’’

Kaman and Nowitzki were teammates on the 2008 German national team, so they both have a solid history together that the Mavs think can work in their favor.

“We’re looking forward to his presence both defensively and offensively,’’ Nelson said of Kaman. “He and Dirk have a relationship together.

“They played on the German national team together, so the chemistry factor is there, which is also big for us.’’